Reusable shooting target

ABSTRACT

A shooting target that can be reused multiple times and can also capture bullets hitting the target. The shooting target includes a base having a front face. Several spaced and upstanding tines protrude from the front face of the base. The tines are configured to retain the bullets hitting the shooting target.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shooting practice target, and moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a reusable shootingtarget that can also catch bullets.

BACKGROUND

Shooting is a popular sport as well as an essential requirement forprofessions, such as in security enforcement. People who desire to learnor sharpen their shooting skills generally practice shooting against ashooting target. The shooting target can be a round shape paper orcardboard having concentric circles of increasing diameter. Shootingtargets of other shapes are also known, such as human outline shapeshooting targets. The bullet makes a hole in the paper or board ifstrike the target. The hole is visible from few feet, however, if theshooter is at a greater distance, the shooting target is bought closerusing a reel mechanism. The known shooting targets have severaldrawbacks, such as single-use and the bullets penetrating the target arelost.

Thus, a need is there for an improved shooting target that is devoid ofthe aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsof the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding ofsuch embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any orall embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one ormore embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to ashooting target that can be reused for shooting practice.

It is another object of the present invention that the shooting targetcan capture the bullets hitting the shooting target.

It is another object of the present invention to provide images of theshooting target on a display closer to the shooter for checking wherethe bullet hit.

It is another object of the present invention that the shooting targetcan be manufactured in a range of shapes and sizes.

It is still another object of the present invention that the shootingtarget is economical to manufacture.

It is yet another object of the present invention to save the paper usedfor shooting targets.

In one aspect, disclosed is a shooting target that can be reusedmultiple times and can also capture bullets hitting the target. Theshooting target includes a base having a front face and a rear face.Several spaced and upstanding tines protrude from the front face of thebase and are dispersed throughout the front face of the base. The tinesare configured to retain the receive and retain the bullets hitting theshooting target.

In one aspect, the length and spacing of the tines can be tailored basedon the size and speed of a bullet, wherein the bullet can be retainedbetween a cluster of tines.

In one aspect, the tines can be of a length ranging from about 1 to 2 cmand the spacing between the tines can be about 1-2 mm.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein and thesummary will become readily apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part ofthe specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention.Together with the description, the figures further explain theprinciples of the present invention and to enable a person skilled inthe relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is the front face of the shooting target, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the shooting target, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments.Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different formsand, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to beconstrued as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forthherein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative.Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matteris intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may beembodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in alimiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe present invention” does not require that all embodiments of theinvention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currentlycontemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but ismade merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined bythe allowed claims of any resulting patent.

Disclosed is a shooting target for shooting practices that can be reusedmultiples times and can also capture the bullets hitting the shootingtarget. The bullets hitting the shooting target can both be tracked andretrieved. Referring to FIG. 1 which shows an exemplary embodiment ofthe shooting target 100. The shooting target 100 shown in FIG. 1 isround, however, shooting targets of any other shape are within the scopeof the present invention. For example, the shooting target of a squareshape or human outline is within the scope of the present invention.FIG. 1 shows the front face of the base 110. Upstanding tines 120protrudes perpendicularly from the front face of the base 110. Referringto FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the shooting target 100 showingmultiple tines 120 that extend upwards from the front face of the base110. The tines 120 can be provided throughout the surface of the base110. The tines 120 are spaced at regular intervals from each other. Thespacing between the tines and the length of the tines can be optimizedbased on the dimensions of a bullet and the approximate speed at whichthe bullet hits the target.

The bullets, particularly the low-energy bullets can be captured withina cluster of tines when the bullet hits the front face of the shootingtarget. Unlike known paper-based shooting targets wherein the bulleteither penetrates or sputter, the disclosed shooting target can retainthe bullets. The retained bullets can be tracked and retrieved from theshooting target. A bullet when hits the front face having upstandingtines, the bullet gets stuck in situ upon the first contact with thetines. Thus, the disclosed shooting target can provide a convenient andaccurate way to track where the bullets hit the target.

The base can be made from a durable and rigid material, such as wood,plastic, or metal. Although the major portion of the shock of the bullethitting the target can be absorbed by the tines, the durable base canwithstand any remaining portion of the shock, thus having a longer lifeand multiple uses. The tines can be made from rubber that can bemodified for additional strength to withstand the shock of a bullethitting the target. For example, vulcanization is one of the knowntechniques to strengthen rubber material. It is to be understood thatany material known to a skilled person that is rigid enough to withstandthe shock of the bullet hitting the target and flexible just enough tocapture and retain the bullet hitting the target without letting thebullet fall, such a material is within the scope of the presentinvention. Moreover, the spacing and length of the tines may depend upona number of factors including the material of the tines, the speed atwhich the bullet hits the target, and the dimensions of the bullet.Considering such factors, the space and length of the tines can betailored. The disclosed shooting target can easily stop and catchlow-energy bullets from air guns, BB guns, slingshots, and like. In onecase, the shooting target can have the tines of length about 1 cm andspacing between adjacent tines can be about 1 mm tailored for bulletpellets having dimensions of about 4.3-4.4 mm (0.171-0.173 inch)diameter and weigh 0.33-0.35 g. The tines can be made long enough suchthat the bullet hitting the target comes in contact with the tines, andthe kinetic energy of the bullet gradually decreases down to zero beforehitting the roots of the tines or the front face of the base. Thisallows the bullet to be captured and retained without any damage to thebase.

The shooting target can be divided into several regions wherein thetines can be densely distributed throughout the front face of the base.The different regions can be separated by an outline and differentregions can have different colors. Such patterns are known to a skilledperson for use in shooting targets, and any such pattern or design iswithin the scope of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the shootingtarget having concentric circles of increasing diameter wherein thecenter of the round shooting target can be the bull eye. FIG. 1 alsoshows bullet 130 captured by the shooting target 100. FIG. 2 shows thebullet 130 stuck within the tines 120. It is to be understood that theinvention has been described as a base having spaced upstanding tinesdensely distributed throughout the front face of the base, however, thebase can have more than one board or layer. For example, the tines mayextend from a layer that is supported on the board.

To view the shooting target positioned far from the shooter, a cameracan be provided that can capture the shooting target and provide theimage of the shooting target on a display device near the shooter. Forexample, the display can be of a monitor or smartphone. The user cancheck the image to know where the bullet hit on the target.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shooting target comprises: a base having afront face; and upstanding tines protrude from the front face of thebase and distributed throughout the front face of the base, the tinesconfigured to capture and retain a bullet hitting the shooting target.2. The shooting target according to claim 1, wherein the bullet iscaptured within a plurality of adjacent tines.
 3. The shooting targetaccording to claim 1, wherein a length of the tines and spacing betweenadjacent tines is proportional to dimensions of a bullet that theshooting target can receive.
 4. The shooting target according to claim3, wherein the tines are about 1 cm in length and adjacent tines arespaced about 1 cm from each other.
 5. The shooting target according toclaim 3, wherein the tines are made of a material such as to absorb theshock of a bullet hitting the tines and flexible just enough to receiveand retain the bullet without letting the bullet fall.
 6. The shootingtarget according to claim 1, wherein the shooting target is divided intodistinguishable regions.
 7. The shooting target according to claim 6,wherein the distinguishable regions are having a different color.
 8. Theshooting target according to claim 1, wherein the base is made of rigidand durable material.